Page 20 of Handcuffs & Honey

Cannon had looked the guy up. He had a rap sheet a mile long, including criminal stalking, breaking and entering, and battery. A wolf shifter with a huge chip on his shoulder. Although the loss of life was tragic, even for someone like Robert, Cannon didn’t feel as bad anymore.

At first, he’d thought it was some poor sap who’d gotten stuck in his animal form, but after hearing that Robert had dragged Julian from under the bed by both ankles—which would have required hands, not paws—and now seeing his past, the people of Midnight Falls could sleep better at night.

Not that they knew what had been going on to begin with. Still…

“I’ll do a deep dive into his past,” Dominic said. “I want to know if he acted alone or if we should expect more trouble.”

Cannon told his boss about Robert’s rap sheet. “Not a good guy and stalkers usually work alone.”

“Do you think he was stalking Julian?” Dominic frowned. “I need to talk with my mate.”

Cannon’s brows shot up. He’d suspected as much, but his boss had just confirmed it. “So Julian is your mate.”

Dominic stood after slapping his laptop closed. “Yep, and I need to have a talk with him to find out if he knew this Robert Martin.”

* * * *

Julian groaned as he sank into the hot bath filled with bubbles. This was exactly what he needed. After Dominic dropped him off, Julian’s anxiety shot through the roof at being alone. He set the alarm, but he also checked every window to make sure they were locked, as well as the doors.

Now he could try and forget the world for at least thirty minutes. Julian set up his phone next to the tub, along with a cup of hot tea. He played a movie from one of his apps, trying to distract his mind from wondering if anyone was lurking outside.

The noise from the movie helped as he sank farther into the tub, the bubbles surrounding him.

As Julian relaxed, he closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the water seep into his bones. He thought about how different his life had become since he met Dominic. He never could have imagined himself being mated to a tall, handsome bear shifter, someone who knew how to protect him in ways he never knew he needed.

Julian had never expected to be mated, period. Especially considering he hadn’t known mating existed before Dominic had told him.

When there was a lull in the noise from the movie, he heard a faint rustling sound. Julian sat up straight, his hands gripping the edges of the tub. Was someone in the house?

His heart kicked up a notch as he listened more carefully. Perhaps it was just the wind or some animal outside. Or maybe his mind was just playing tricks on him. But the rustling sound grew louder.

Julian quickly grabbed the nearest object, which happened to be the shampoo bottle. It wasn’t the best weapon—Julian refused to throw his cell phone—but it was better than nothing. He carefully eased out of the tub, his bare feet making soft padding sounds on the bathroom tiles.

As he crept toward the door, he heard the sound coming from the bedroom. His stomach dropped. He had locked the door, hadn’t he? Julian was certain he had. He’d checked all the locks before running his bath water.

He slowed his steps as he approached the door, his breath coming in quick gasps. Was he brave enough to see if there was an intruder in Dominic’s bedroom?

Nope.

Julian set the shampoo bottle aside and grabbed his phone. He called Dominic, but the call went straight to voicemail. Fuck. Now what?

To hell with it. Julian shored up his bravery and flung the door open, brandishing the shampoo bottle like a weapon. He nearly dropped it when he saw who was in the room.

There, standing in the middle of the bedroom, was Dominic. And he was shirtless. Julian’s mind went blank as he froze in place, staring at Dominic’s bare chest. The man was ripped, with bulging biceps and washboard abs.

Dominic’s gaze slid over Julian. “A naked mate with soap suds sliding down his body. I could get used to coming home to this.”

“You scared me half to death,” Julian said with a bit of attitude. “All I heard was a rustling sound and thought someone had broken in.”

“With the alarm set?” Dominic pointed to his discarded shirt. “I was getting out of my uniform.”

“I’m going to duct-tape a cowbell around your freaking neck.” Julian spun and stomped into the bathroom and then slipped back into the tub. He was determined to have a relaxing bubble bath, even if he had to kill anyone who disrupted him.

That included his mate.

When Dominic appeared in the doorway, Julian’s gaze went straight to the man’s cock. Dominic was completely naked now, and Julian’s irritation vanished.

“Mind if I join you?”

---